My Mouth....The Rudder

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

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I grew up as a "Navy" brat, and one would think I might know something about boats....errr, I mean ships.  Unfortunately, no.  I also do not have the greatest of sea legs, which has been a dilemma for the husband who would love to go on a cruise with me.  Recently, I remember watching a commercial of a ship at sea....the waves crashed and caused the massive ship to be tossed and pitched like it was a toy boat, as it continued on its path.  Each wave seemed to elevate the vessel to such great heights, only to crash down to a point where one would think it might truly be engulfed by the sea's waves and experience destruction.  Each vessel has a rudder that offers surface control as it makes it way through the waters.  However, without power from within ... the outside forces may overcome best intentions and the vessel will sink.  

It has been very stressful at work.  It is easy to get caught up in running our mouths and being critical of one another.  Replacing blame or having no patience, and gossiping about one another.  A colleague was sharing sage advice about one of our employees that it is not always the content of the message this person is sharing, but how it is presented.  If it is presented in the wrong way, the other person will stop listening.   Hurt feelings or anger will get in the way and it will not result in a productive moment.   Coming off too harsh, or critical.   There is being direct, but then there is using your tongue like a sword that pierces the heart of the receiver, and leaves a wound.  Too many of those moments, and the relationship will never have a chance to thrive.  It may also leave the receiver imprisoned by the hurtful words, they are unable to rise above and be productive.  I felt that not so long ago.....and at the time, the words seemed harsh and unfair.  I walked away feeling defeated and wanted to quit.  I got angry.  I got sad.  Then I took a step back and I prayed and I am still praying to try and work through what happened.  In truth, it was a teaching moment though on what I never want to do to someone else, but had I ever been like this person though?  Had I lost my balance, like the ship that despite having a rudder having no control after a certain point?  

In order to have a positive effect with others, I need to make sure the power I have within is tempered with grace, and that I am prayed and read up with God's word.  To control the tongue, so that instead of destroying...it will result in being a collaborative and productive moment.  I have said this to  my own children that we need to be about the business of lifting one another up, and less about tearing each other down.  To exert patience, so that your rudder (mouth) leads you in a safe direction, and not to destruction.

Today, I am praying that I will be an effective leader and will bring balance and patience in my communications with others.  I want my Team to soar, not to fall.  I think a lot of each one of them and know they have what it takes to do great things.  Now to put that into action and it starts with my rudder and the power behind it.  I pray that God will be that power and they will see more of Him and less of me.